εὐαγγελίζω (euaggelizo)
“to announce the Good News of victory in battle”
“to announce the Good News of victory in battle”
“I tell you,
in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven
over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.”
in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven
over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.”
θεωρέω (theoreo)
(“to perceive, discover, ponder a deeper meaning”)
(“to perceive, discover, ponder a deeper meaning”)
Jesus narrates what has come to be known as some of His famous parables. Even the parable of the «Compassionate Father» (also known as «The Prodigal Son») appears in many literature anthologies and is hailed as one of the greatest short stories of all time. Regardless of familiarity or fame, Jesus’ words are directed to a way of living forming all to receive His gift of salvation.
Interestingly, Jesus sounds the parables as a response to the Pharisees’ “complain[ing]” that “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” The Greek verb translated “to complain” conveys a stronger action of grumbling because of dashed hopes or strong disagreement. In other words, the Pharisees view sin, somewhat correctly, as a rupture in relational living. Sin breaks living with God, others, the true self and all creation. Where Jesus and the Pharisees clash is that Jesus offers a remedy for the rupture: repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia). Because of the grace offered by Jesus, non-relational living does not have to be permanent. Such is the gift of repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia) continuously offered by Jesus. Repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia), however, is more than a nano second thought of sorrow, contrition or guilt. Repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia) is more than a mindless or heartless utterance, “I sorry.”
μετάνοια is a compound of the Greek prefix μέτα (meta, “beyond”) and the Greek noun νόος (noos, “mind”). Literally, μετάνοια is “beyond the mind” suggesting an action “from the heart.” This is the way of living that the Divine Lawgiver had in mind when the Decalogue was offered to the Chosen People. The 10 prescriptions of the Covenant were not intended to be a mindless checklist of do’s and don’ts that ‘earned points with God,’ but the plan for living true peace and happiness grounded by grace in the core of one’s being that restores, through Divine intervention and human cooperation, right and proper relational living with God, others, the true self and all creation.
As important as “from the heart” is in exploring the depth of μετάνοια, the Jesuit philosopher-theologian, Bernard Lonergan in his work, «Method in Theology» pondered some of necessary facets to the biblical action and work of μετάνοια (metanoia). With gratitude for Fr Lonergan’s insights as well as some additional wisdom from the Fathers of the Church, perhaps μετάνοια (metanoia) can be described as follows:
μετάνοια (metanoia) is a Grace initiated and sustained response to Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God that is a radical transformation actively engaging all dimensions and levels of human living. μετάνοια (metanoia) consciously acknowledges that life is an interlocking and interdependent series of changes and developments expressive of relational living with God, others, the true self and all of creation. μετάνοια further involves transforming apprehensions (how one sees the world), sensitizing conscience and moral criteria (values) all as a continuous straining forward to receive the ‘call up’ from God the Father in Christ Jesus Our Lord through the Grace of the Holy Spirit.
Yes there is much to ponder in the description of what seems is to be simple act of repentance. Yet the affects and effects of Original Sin often limit what we think needs to be done in terms of repenting … if I just change this or change that – I will be fine, I will be done. The truth is that this side of the grave the work of μετάνοια (metanoia) is never done. It involves the ‘work’ of letting oneself be found. As the Lord’s Grace leads us onward and upward, μετάνοια (metanoia) is an affirmation not only of transformation that needs to occur, but more so the discovery of abundant riches of the Father’s loving mercy poured into our lives as Gift.
Interestingly, Jesus sounds the parables as a response to the Pharisees’ “complain[ing]” that “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” The Greek verb translated “to complain” conveys a stronger action of grumbling because of dashed hopes or strong disagreement. In other words, the Pharisees view sin, somewhat correctly, as a rupture in relational living. Sin breaks living with God, others, the true self and all creation. Where Jesus and the Pharisees clash is that Jesus offers a remedy for the rupture: repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia). Because of the grace offered by Jesus, non-relational living does not have to be permanent. Such is the gift of repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia) continuously offered by Jesus. Repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia), however, is more than a nano second thought of sorrow, contrition or guilt. Repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia) is more than a mindless or heartless utterance, “I sorry.”
μετάνοια is a compound of the Greek prefix μέτα (meta, “beyond”) and the Greek noun νόος (noos, “mind”). Literally, μετάνοια is “beyond the mind” suggesting an action “from the heart.” This is the way of living that the Divine Lawgiver had in mind when the Decalogue was offered to the Chosen People. The 10 prescriptions of the Covenant were not intended to be a mindless checklist of do’s and don’ts that ‘earned points with God,’ but the plan for living true peace and happiness grounded by grace in the core of one’s being that restores, through Divine intervention and human cooperation, right and proper relational living with God, others, the true self and all creation.
As important as “from the heart” is in exploring the depth of μετάνοια, the Jesuit philosopher-theologian, Bernard Lonergan in his work, «Method in Theology» pondered some of necessary facets to the biblical action and work of μετάνοια (metanoia). With gratitude for Fr Lonergan’s insights as well as some additional wisdom from the Fathers of the Church, perhaps μετάνοια (metanoia) can be described as follows:
μετάνοια (metanoia) is a Grace initiated and sustained response to Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God that is a radical transformation actively engaging all dimensions and levels of human living. μετάνοια (metanoia) consciously acknowledges that life is an interlocking and interdependent series of changes and developments expressive of relational living with God, others, the true self and all of creation. μετάνοια further involves transforming apprehensions (how one sees the world), sensitizing conscience and moral criteria (values) all as a continuous straining forward to receive the ‘call up’ from God the Father in Christ Jesus Our Lord through the Grace of the Holy Spirit.
Podcast featuring an excerpt from Saint Ambrose’s
Exposition of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke —
Exposition of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke —
